Fatal self-defense shootings are on the rise in Detroit and far from criticizing them, the city’s police are applauding the trend!

In the past, Detroit Police Chief James Craig defended his residents’ Second Amendment rights, saying an armed citizenry will make Detroit safer. He was roundly criticized in liberal circles, but stood his ground.

After reports of the increase in fatalities from self-defense shootings, Craig doubled down in support of his citizens’ Constitutional Rights.

[He] said at a press conference last week that in his 37-year career, he’s never seen as many homeowners defending themselves by shooting intruders. Craig told The News in January he felt the crime rate could be lowered if more “good Americans” were armed, because he said criminals would think twice about attacking.

“It does appear more and more Detroiters are becoming empowered,” Craig said. “More and more Detroiters are getting sick of the violence. I know of no other place where I’ve seen this number of justifiable homicides. It’s interesting that these incidents go across gender lines.”

Most recently, a Detroit homeowner shot two men trying to break into his home. If ruled self-defense, it would bring the number of fatal shootings to 10 since the beginning of the year. There were only 15 justifiable fatal self-defense shootings in all of 2013.

“People who are faced with a dangerous situation are taking matters into their own hands,” Craig said. “We’re not advocating violence; we’re advocates of not being victims. We’re advocates of self-protection. We want people to be safe.

“This should be a message to those who continue to perpetuate violence on Detroiters that enough is enough. You’ve got to be concerned about good Detroiters who aren’t going to stand for it,” Craig said. “Detroiters are fed up and they are taking action.”

Perhaps under Chief Craig, Detroit can finally get a handle on its runaway murder rate. One wishes all law enforcement officers understood the importance of an armed citizenry.